After looking at similar threads on the Bama and Auburn boards, it looks like the Bammers are realists, picking LSU in the west and looking eagerly to 2009. Auburn is convinced that LSU lost too many top players to beat them and pick themselves. So what do we think? It's an even year and we don't make it to the SECCG in even years because of the road schedule. We did lose a bunch of star players . . . but last year we lost a bunch as well, including 4 first-round draft picks and still won the national championship. My picks: WEST 1. LSU -- just a hunch, we finally beat Auburn on the road. 2. Auburn -- falls short once again 3. Alabama -- not deep enough to make it to the SECCG yet 4. State -- loses some players, but playing hard 5. Ole Miss -- will surprise some folks this year 6. Arkansas -- lots of work to do here EAST 1. Georgia -- best coach and talent in the east, Tebow be damned 2. Florida -- must find a defense 3. Tennessee -- they have the tools and the talent, but . . . 4. South Carolina -- not there yet 5. Kentucky -- good coach, not enough muscle 6. Vanderbilt -- God bless 'em It's tough to beat a top team twice in a season. Whoever loses the LSU/Georgia game will win the SEC championship game.
We will be fine. The RP situation will work out, I sure hope so. If not, I think we will still be fine. I do think we win the west, but Georgia has a monster defense. Although our offense will be potent next year especially ground game. We will have the best left side of the line in the nation.
I think we can/will win the West, but we're gonna have to win 1 of these 3 games: home vs UGA, at UF or at Auburn; and win all the rest of the conference games. I am sure that we have the talent to win the West, but not sure we have the depth. We will know more about our depth after our 1st four games. I really believe we can go 10-2 next year with a trip to the SECCG and potentially another BCS Bowl game. I say we finish 11-3, or something like that with a big win in the Capitol One Bowl. Assuming we have RP next year. :crystal::geaux::crystal::geaux::crystal:
WEST 1. LSU -- agree we beat AU on the road, this is predicated on RP 2. Auburn --if they do not get very good QB play they end up 3rd 3. Alabama --if they get great senior QB play they end up second 4. State -- Croom has them moving forward 5. Ole Miss -- Will take Nutt some time to get his oline working but the guy can coach much better than O so I would not be surprised to see them do better. O did leave some talent. 6. Arkansas --Petrino will take a little while to get his o installed and a QB to run it. Needs a lot of new players to step up. EAST 1. Georgia -- Best program in the east right now, great talent, great D, maybe a great QB 2. Florida --Their D will be improved but I still think UGA is better 3. UK . . . I like what Brooks has going on there but USC may have better all around talent 4. South Carolina -- I just don't feel good about what Spurrier is doing there yet. 5. Tenn. -- Imploding!!!!!! Of couse since Fulmer is really on the hot seat he may pull off a great season 6. Vanderbilt -- They'll pull one or two upsets maybe, just will never be picked higher than last and will have to over achieve.
West 1. LSU--I think we finish with 2 SEC losses, but it's enough to get us to Atl. 2. Auburn--they will be good by the end of the year, but will struggle early 3. Bama--wouldn't be shocked if they finished 2nd, but their year is '09 4. State--Croom has these guys playing hard...solid, unspectacular season 5. Arkansas--Petrino, despite his flaws, is a good college coach 6. Ole Miss--back where they belong East 1. Florida--they win the cocktail party and head to Atl with 1 loss 2. Georgia--just have a feeling that Moreno will come back to Earth a little 3. S.C.--big drop off after Fla and Georgia. East isn't as deep anymore 4. Tenn--it's a circus there. However, tons of talent, so you never know... 5. UK--they didn't look good towards the end of last year will miss Woodson 6. Vandy--will win a game or 2 that they shouldn't but can't keep it up
West 1. LSU - Too much balance on both sides. 2. Auburn - QB play could vault them to the top -- or further down. 3. Bama - Much improved from last year, but schedule is tough. 4. Ole Miss - Should have decent running game and a good QB. 5. State - Pretty sound team, but not much talent. 6. Arkansas - Better than most think but change takes time. East 1. Florida - Extremely explosive and return tons of young players. 2. Georgia - Solid but overrated. Very tough schedule. 3. Tennessee - Fulmer does enough to save job. 4. USC - Same story, upset someone, someone upset you. 5. UK - Very well could move to third, but new QB will be shaky. 6. Vandy - Poor Vandy. All of this assuming RP plays.
Greetings to all the Tiger fans in the Den! I'm a new member and life long Tiger! Tiger Bait, I agree wit your picks but flip/flop the top two in our division. Our schedule and RP possibly not being available drops us down a notch for next year. I do have confidence in Lee at QB. But it's tough for a freshman on the road in this league.
